ETHAS 039402

Le Mandala du Monde de la Matrice

Back to results
039402
The Mandalas of the Two Realms, Ryōkai mandara 両界曼荼羅
Japan, pref. Ōsaka, Sennan-shi 泉南市, Rinshōji 林昌寺 (Oka Daishi 岡大師)
17th century, restored in 1842 and remounted in 1911
Coloured prints on paper
Jean Eracle Mission to Japan in 1977
These two mandalas are shown with their box providing provenance and dates.
The Shingon school uses two main meditation diagrams: the “Mandalas of the Two Realms.” The Matrix Realm mandala (Taizōkai mandara 胎蔵界曼荼羅) represents the enlightenment latent in all beings, with the Vairocana Buddha in the centre. The Diamond Realm mandala (Kongōkai mandara 金剛界曼荼羅) shows the path to enlightenment. It combines nine mandalas, forming a streamer spiralling clockwise from the centre.

The image above is subject to copyright.
Copyrights for Photographic Reproduction

Registres d'inventaires historiques

Les feuillets numérisés des registres d'inventaires historiques sont soumise à un copyright.
Droits de reproduction photographique

Inventaire original MEG. Registres tapuscrits, volumes 19 à 59
Registres_tapuscrits/39402.pdf

 

Japanese Buddhist iconography

Buddhism passed from China to Japan in the 6th century. There it was particularly influenced by its esoteric form (Tantrism). This form uses rituals to a large number of beings who incarnate various degrees of enlightenment: buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods and goddesses, “kings of science” and others. Tantric Buddhism is represented by the Shingon and Tendai schools. They specialised in iconography in order to codify the colours, postures and gestures of the various personages used not only in the rituals but as an aid to meditation.

The great Amida (<i>Daibutsu</i>) Buddha of Kamakura, <i>Views and Customs of Japan</i>, by Stillfried & Andersen, Yokohama, around 1870.

The great Amida (Daibutsu) Buddha of Kamakura, Views and Customs of Japan, by Stillfried & Andersen, Yokohama, around 1870. Alfred Bertrand collection © MEG Inv. ETHPH 411954

Bibliograpy

  • Eracle, Jean. 1991. Civilisation des Samurai. Genève / Ivrea : Musée d'ethnographie / Priuli & Verlucca, n° 74
  • Eracle, Jean. 1978-1979. "Les deux grands Mandala du bouddhisme tantrique japonais". Genève : Bulletin annuel du Musée d'Ethnographie de la Ville de Genève, n° 21-22, p. 13-95

© 2021 Musée d'ethnographie, Genève